Witnesses sought in cab driver slaying

Police, family issue renewed call for witnesses to step forward in death of cab driver

The widow of slain cab driver William "Huey" Huson issued a tearful plea Tuesday for witnesses to come forward who might have information that could help solve her husband's murder.

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By Chris Conrad

MailTribune.com

By Chris Conrad

Posted Oct. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 31, 2012 at 11:37 AM

By Chris Conrad

Posted Oct. 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 31, 2012 at 11:37 AM

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How to help

Anyone who saw a suspect matching the description or who has other information about the case is asked to call Medford police at 541-770-4783. Tips also can be submitted anonymously online at www.t...

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How to help

Anyone who saw a suspect matching the description or who has other information about the case is asked to call Medford police at 541-770-4783. Tips also can be submitted anonymously online at www.tipsubmit.com.

The widow of slain cab driver William "Huey" Huson issued a tearful plea Tuesday for witnesses to come forward who might have information that could help solve her husband's murder.

Police released a video Tuesday of people outside the downtown Medford bar where Huson picked up his final fare the night he was killed. Police hope one of those people might have seen something that will help them catch the killer. (Editor's note: The four people seen in the surveillance video contacted police, so investigators are no longer seeking to identify and talk to them. Therefore, the video and photos are no longer available at www.mailtribune.com.)

Susan Huson described her husband as a "gentle" and "hard-working" man who did not deserve the violent death he suffered on Oct. 20.

Huson, a driver for Valley Cab, is believed to have picked up the person who shot and robbed him near Howiee's on Front.

The Saturday-night fare led to the last radio contact Huson had with Valley Cab before the company reported him missing at 1:02 a.m. on Oct. 21.

Police are hoping for an eyewitness from the bar or for someone who might have seen the taxi in the Vilas Road area or at a parking lot near Ninth and Almond streets where the cab was later found at 5:02 a.m.

Huson was shot and his body was dumped in a field off Helo Way in Medford. The murder happened on Huson's birthday.

Susan Huson said she spoke with her husband on the afternoon he died. She wished him a happy birthday before he began his shift.

"I never dreamed it would be the last time I would ever hear his voice," she said.

Susan Huson and members of her family joined Medford police investigators Tuesday at a press conference in police headquarters that was designed to stir up additional tips that could help close the case.

Medford police Chief Tim George said the case has generated 140 tips so far, but tips have begun to wane in recent days.

"We do not have a suspect at this time," George said. "But we are diligently working this case and will have all hands on deck to bring this to a resolution."

The department released surveillance video from outside Howiee's that was shot the night of the murder. The video shows various men and women talking outside the bar near the time when the suspect entered Huson's cab.

"These people are not considered suspects and have not committed a crime," George said. "We just want to speak with them to see if they have information that could help us."

The possible suspect was described as a white male with fair complexion and a pockmarked face, about 25 to 35 years old, 6 feet 1 to 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 170 to 190 pounds, police said.

He was last seen wearing a black ballcap, a black Carhartt-style coat and jeans.

George said the description was based on a single witness' recollection that night. He cautioned that this information might not be entirely accurate.

"We don't want to have tunnel vision on this one description," George said. "We are open to any and all possibilities."

Investigators are asking for anyone who might have seen a suspicious man in the area where the cab was dropped off that night to come forward.

George also asked witnesses to come forward if they know of someone who had blood on their clothes or who might have been acting suspiciously with a handgun before or after the murder.

"We hope these videos create another 100 tips," George said. "If that happens, we feel like we'll be in a serious hunt."

Susan Huson said the public should be concerned that such a dangerous person is walking free.

"I am asking the public for information that would help bring my husband's killer to justice," she said. "Please help stop this person from taking another family's loved one."

Anyone who saw a suspect matching the description or who has other information about the case is asked to call Medford police at 541-770-4783. Tips also can be submitted anonymously online at www.tipsubmit.com.